Chapter 3

"Daddy's right!" the childlike voice chimed in. "That nasty woman is just putting on a show! There's no way she'd really bear to give up on Daddy. I bet she's going to show up tomorrow with the debit card in hand!

"Soon, we'll be able to pay off Grandpa's gambling debts and Grandma's medical bills. Daddy can start preparing to become the richest man in the world even earlier this time!"

As I lounged in my chair, my smile slowly turned cold as I remarked mockingly, "Nathan, have you forgotten that our relationship is purely a transactional one? I paid to keep you by my side, but now, I don't want to anymore. I'm ending our agreement. Is that clear enough for you now?"

I paused, my smile widening.

"As for whether you still have any money, that's your business. What does it have to do with me, your former employer?"

Sherry instinctively tightened her grip on Nathan's sleeve.

Nathan swallowed hard, his gaze turning stormy. "You sure about this, Estelle?"

When I didn't respond, he abruptly straightened himself up and adjusted his collar.

"Hah! You think I can't survive without you, Estelle? Your money isn't what got me to where I am now! I simply played along with you since you were so hopelessly in love with me. With my abilities, it'll take me no more than three months to make a name for myself.

"And when the time comes, you can forget about trying to ride on my coattails!"

"Daddy's absolutely right! She'll be wallowing in her regret soon enough! Once we get rich, we'll make sure she stays far below us forever! Let's go, Mommy. Stop wasting your time on her. She's definitely going to be kicking herself in regret by tomorrow and bring the debit card to the apartment herself!"

I studied Nathan with undisguised contempt. I'd paid for every single thing he was wearing right now. Did he really think he was better than everyone else just because he had been reborn with the memories from his previous life?

Slowly, I rose to my feet and eyed him haughtily. "Don't tell me it's unclear to you who's been riding on whose coattails. But you did remind me of something. I'll send some people over to clear out your things from the apartment I let you stay in.

"However, don't bother returning the clothes I gave you. I wouldn't want you to not even be able to present yourself properly when you try to find someone else to latch onto."

When I opened the glass door, the chilly early fall wind rushed in, but it gave me a sense of clarity I had never felt before.

It was just a face. There were plenty of other people in this country. It wasn't as if I couldn't find another one just like it.

All along, I'd been too lazy to find a replacement, but that didn't mean I was a fool.

…

After leaving the cafe, I called my assistant, Ivy Jennings.

"Use all of the funds under my personal name to go all-in on Burkcoin as quickly as possible. Buy as much as you can."

I'd already confirmed that Sherry's unborn fetus was telling the truth, so there was no way I'd miss out on such a good opportunity to make money.

And besides…

I narrowed my eyes, recalling Nathan's earlier look of confidence and determination. Perhaps I could cause trouble for him, too.

Ivy remained silent for a few seconds before asking, "Are you sure, Ms. Langdon? Burkcoin has been extremely volatile lately. This level of investment—"

I cut her off, "I'm sure. Just do as I say. We'll sell off everything in a month."

Pausing, I looked up at the sky, my fingers trembling a little.

"Also, find me someone else who looks like him. Make sure he's single. I want someone with a gentler personality—someone not too arrogant."

This time, the line stayed silent for quite a while before Ivy finally replied, "Understood, Ms. Langdon."

Having ended the call, I stood out there on the sidewalk, the breeze rustling my hair. I raised a hand to wipe my face, only then realizing that I'd teared up at some point.

How pathetic of me.

Sighing, I pulled up a number I hadn't called for some time.

"Prescribe me some medication. I'm probably going to start having trouble sleeping again."

Once I gathered myself again, I drove back to the office.